Republic of the Rif: Map & History

History

The French and Spanish empires both colonized Morocco, and in 1912 the Treaty Between France and Spain Regarding Morocco established Spanish and French protectorates there.

France's general approach to governing the protectorate of Morocco was a policy of indirect rule, where they co-opted existing governance systems to control the protectorate. Specifically, the Moroccan elite and the sultans of Morocco were both left in control while being strongly influenced by the French government.

French and Spanish colonialism in Morocco was discriminatory against the native Rifians and Sahrawis and was highly detrimental to the Moroccan economy. Moroccans were treated as second-class citizens and discriminated against in all aspects of colonial life.

Government and politics

The Riffian National Council held several sessions, approving a constitution of 40 articles based on the principle of popular authority. The members of the government were accountable to the National Assembly. Therefore, Abd-el-Krim was appointed President of the Council. According to Achtatou—cited by Salafranca—this constitution, along with numerous other documents, was burned by Spanish troops when they captured Ajdir. The Riffian state was named Dawlat Aljumhuriya Rifiya (Riffian Republican State). The next step was the formation of a modern government to put an end to the old traditional structures and introduce a democratic model based on a highly representative administration.